Garmin nuvi 255W

If you don't need Bluetooth or free lifetime traffic alerts, reviews say the Garmin nuvi 255W is a good alternative to the top-rated Garmin nuvi 265T (*Est. $180) or widescreen Garmin nuvi 265WT (*Est. $220). The nuvi 255W has a widescreen, and it speaks street names (e.g. "Turn left on Elm Street in 100 feet," rather than just "Turn left in 100 feet.") The price difference between the Garmin nuvi 255W and Garmin nuvi 265T is now negligible, but the nuvi 255W's easier-to-see widescreen may make it the better buy, especially for people who live outside the 50 metropolitan areas covered by Garmin's free traffic information. Traffic alerts are available on the nuvi 255W, but they cost extra.

ConsumerReports.org's unbiased testing of the Garmin nuvi 255W is the best we've found, but only subscribers can read the reports. GPSLodge.com doesn't rank the nuvi 255W against other GPS units as ConsumerReports.org does, but its test results are presented in just as much detail. GPSTracklog.com has an extensive review, but it is based on a test drive of the similar Garmin nuvi 205W (*Est. $160). Consumer reviews at Amazon.com and Newegg.com indicate how owners like the nuvi 255W.